Method of connecting the sections oe gold-washers



R. BURTON.

GOLD WASHER.

,N0. 1,209. 4 Patented Mar. 26 1850.

STATES PATENT creme.

RUSSEL BURTON, OF ROME, NEW YORK.

METHOD OF CONNECTING THE SECTIONS OF GOLD-WASHERS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 7,209, dated March 26, 1850.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUSSEL BURTON, of Rome, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Manner of Connecting Together the Sections of Gold-VVashers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1, is a perspective view; Fig. 2, a longitudinal view of a section with socket; Fig. 3, a corresponding view of a section with projecting rod; Fig. 4, a longitudinal elevation, exhibiting chain, &c.

Said machine consists of a cradle (Fig. l) with rockers (B B,) at each extreme end, composed of wood, iron, or any other suitable material. Saidcradle having at its head a sieve (C) resting upon its upper edge, for the purpose of separating the coarse gravel from that portion of the earth containing the gold. The rim of said sieve being also composed of sheet-iron or any other suitable material and having at its bottom (D) open wire work or perforated sheet-iron, or other suitable material. Said sieve is attached to the upper rim of the cradle by a hinge (E Fig. 4C) and is kept down in its place, when the machine is in operation, by a catch (F) and discharged by turning it over on its hinges. Said sieve is so constructed (the rim being beveled) as, when inverted to fit into the foot section of the cradle, thus, forming a chest or box. The bottom (G) of the cradle, is in a circular form the sides or sections (H H) beveled outward to an angle with the bottom, or it may be formed square oval, fiat, or in any other suitable shape, and divided into sections. Each section isbent into its proper form, swaged at the end (I, 1,) to recelve the thickness of the iron of the next corresponding section, from foot to head. In order to fasten the sections together, a narrow strip of iron (J) is bent to conform with the inside of the cradle, and riveted back of the swaging to allow the section next above to be inserted or shut in between the swaging and said strip where it is kept firmly in its place by means of rods (K K Fig. 3,) projectin from the foot of one section and received into sockets (L L Fig. 2,) in the rim of the corresponding section. Said rods being sustained in their position by bending the iron forming the rim of the cradle firmly around them, or in any other suitable manner, and secured by pins passing through the rods and sockets in the rim; or, they may be fastened by a rod or brace, passing either through or below the rim from side to side of the cradle, and secured by nuts and screws (N N) or by any other suitable device. The several sections being of corresponding length, so that when separated, each section can be placed one within the other for compactness, the sieve forming the lid or cover.

In the bottom of the cradle, connected with each section, arevertical flanges (O) for catching the gold. The foot flange (P) being formed by cutting a section or opening (Q) in the end or foot of the cradle, which opening also serves to let OK the earth and water from the gold.

At the head of the cradle, and just below the outward edge of the sieve near its bottom, are two sheet-iron sockets (R, R,) to receive a projecting rod (S) for the purpose of rocking the cradle.

On the outer bottom of the cradle is a chain (T Fig. 4,) passing from end to end, having corresponding links in length with the several sections; said chain being secured by nuts and screws (U) to the outer side of the rocker (B) at each end of the cradle, for the purpose of holding said sections more firmly together.

Rings (V) are attached at proper distances to the upper rim of the cradle on each side, in order to insert straps to throw over the shoulders.

I do not claim the constructing of gold set forth.

RUSSEL BURTON. Witnesses:

JOHN HANCOCK, CHAS. REED. 

